GayRealEstate USA

Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Texas

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

Situated in  Central region of the U.S.A, this state is ranked as the 2nd largest by land mass and the 2nd by population with 20,851,820 people residing in this region.

This states economy relies heavily on Fortune 500 companies, energy, aeronautics, defense, information technology, tourism, entertainment and agriculture.

No income tax applies to this region of America, however a 6.25% sales tax is charged. This region of the United states has no state property tax, however counties, cities and school districts assess and collect property tax on all real estate and income producing property.

North Dallas

Homes are typically sitting on the market for 90-120 days in this region with the median home price hovering around $200,000. The market trend in this area is said to be increasing with the market trend up by 0-5% compared to last year (Houston Pictured).

Buyers are getting 85-90% of their asking price and the hottest valued market in this region is repeat buyers and population growth being the driving force behind this trend. 

There are currently more buyers than sellers and low interest rates make for good buying with buyers willing to negotiate with sellers.

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are approximately 42,912 same-sex couples residing in Texas making this region the 3rd gayest state in America. The gayest zip codes in this locality are 75219 Oak Lawn, Dallas; 77006 Fairview, Houston; 75208 Oak Cliff, Dallas; 78751 North Austin, 77008 Jester Village/ Heights, Houston. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: wikipedia.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

Situated in  Central region of the U.S.A, this state is ranked as the 2nd largest by land mass and the 2nd by population with 20,851,820 people residing in this region.

This states economy relies heavily on Fortune 500 companies, energy, aeronautics, defense, information technology, tourism, entertainment and agriculture.

No income tax applies to this region of America, however a 6.25% sales tax is charged. This region of the United states has no state property tax, however counties, cities and school districts assess and collect property tax on all real estate and income producing property.

North Dallas

Homes are typically sitting on the market for 90-120 days in this region with the median home price hovering around $200,000. The market trend in this area is said to be increasing with the market trend up by 0-5% compared to last year (Houston Pictured).

Buyers are getting 85-90% of their asking price and the hottest valued market in this region is repeat buyers and population growth being the driving force behind this trend. 

There are currently more buyers than sellers and low interest rates make for good buying with buyers willing to negotiate with sellers.

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are approximately 42,912 same-sex couples residing in Texas making this region the 3rd gayest state in America. The gayest zip codes in this locality are 75219 Oak Lawn, Dallas; 77006 Fairview, Houston; 75208 Oak Cliff, Dallas; 78751 North Austin, 77008 Jester Village/ Heights, Houston. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: wikipedia.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Galveston Blossoming LGBT Community

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Enclaves

The low cost of living and easy-going lifestyle is drawing LGBT to Galveston like surfers to the waves.

Laura Villagran, activist-publisher who recently opened the city's first gay and lesbian visitor's center believes the region is set to explode as the the next gay tourism mecca.

However, local real estate agents feel it may become more of a gay retirement precinct. Given the increase in gay retirees in the area they feel that the Galveston population of 57,000 is set to swell as the sun and surf along with gay-friendliness entice LGBT from far and wide to the region.

Events like the annual summer Splash Day celebration and the city's Gay Pride Festival -- the first of which was held in October of '07 -- also promise to draw large gay and lesbian crowds.

Local real estate agent, Eldredge Langlinais said, 'many of the gays are attracted by the city's large stock of older homes.'

'I first bought a weekend cottage in 1978,' he said. 'When you cross the causeway -- the ambiance, the different look, the palm trees, the older houses and, of course, the water -- I'd know immediately that I was somewhere else.'

The city's allure is sure to entice especially with its ability to offer unique homes at affordable prices. Galveston is tipped as being a LGBT growth area and region for sound for investment in 2008.

Source: Turner, A (2007) More Gays Pick Galveston as Spot to Live and Relax; available online at www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5401313.html

Image Source: www.historicbridgefoundation.com and www.lonestarsound.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Enclaves

The low cost of living and easy-going lifestyle is drawing LGBT to Galveston like surfers to the waves.

Laura Villagran, activist-publisher who recently opened the city's first gay and lesbian visitor's center believes the region is set to explode as the the next gay tourism mecca.

However, local real estate agents feel it may become more of a gay retirement precinct. Given the increase in gay retirees in the area they feel that the Galveston population of 57,000 is set to swell as the sun and surf along with gay-friendliness entice LGBT from far and wide to the region.

Events like the annual summer Splash Day celebration and the city's Gay Pride Festival -- the first of which was held in October of '07 -- also promise to draw large gay and lesbian crowds.

Local real estate agent, Eldredge Langlinais said, 'many of the gays are attracted by the city's large stock of older homes.'

'I first bought a weekend cottage in 1978,' he said. 'When you cross the causeway -- the ambiance, the different look, the palm trees, the older houses and, of course, the water -- I'd know immediately that I was somewhere else.'

The city's allure is sure to entice especially with its ability to offer unique homes at affordable prices. Galveston is tipped as being a LGBT growth area and region for sound for investment in 2008.

Source: Turner, A (2007) More Gays Pick Galveston as Spot to Live and Relax; available online at www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5401313.html

Image Source: www.historicbridgefoundation.com and www.lonestarsound.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Joel Burns Elected -- Happy New Year!

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

It's official, Joel Burns, who was vying with other candidates to represent the ninth district on the city council, is to be Fort Worth's first openly gay official.

Burns, a real estate agent, gained over 50 percent of the vote.

Downtown Fort Worth (pictured below) and the Texas Christian University are within the ninth district and will be governed by Burns.

Burns, who will be sworn in early in 2008 was supported by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

'It was enormously important to have the endorsement of the Victory Fund,' Burns said. 'They understand what it takes to win, and they help you do that.'

Chuck Wolfe, president of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, called Burns's win a 'sweet victory.'

Happy New Year Burns...

Source: The Advocate (2007) Fort Worth Elects First Out Official; available online at www.gay.com

Image Source: www.fortworth architecture.com and www.skyscraper.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Defining Oak Lawn's Boundaries

By Jeff Adolph

Gayborhood Boundaries

David Webb (pictured left) of The Dallas Voice recently wrote an article that was extremely interesting.

Webb writes: I didn't realize that Oak Lawn's geographical boundaries were becoming blurred and in danger of disappearing until I read a story in The Dallas Morning News, Dec. 1 edition, about the city's gayborhood dissolving.

What surprised Webb the most about the story was that writer, David Flick's, mentioned that The Dallas Voice a community newspaper was situated outside of the so-called community it served.

As Webb writes: Clearly, the writer was of the opinion we had moved out of Oak lawn and out of the 'gayborhood.'

Webb states that The Dallas Voice  began in Oak lawn, and has never left the 15-square-mile area.

Oak Lawn defined by Dallas City Ordinance 21859 is bounded by Woodall Rogers Freeway; Central Expressway; Highland Park; Inwood Road and Harry Hines Boulevard.

Though when Webb informed Flick of his oversight, Webb was told that The Dallas Voice was considered to be in Uptown, not Oak Lawn.

'No-one considers anything east of Turtle Creek Boulevard to be Oak Lawn,' said Flick in an e-mail.

In a later e-mail Flick also said, 'However much longtime residents may dislike it , most people these days do not think of Oak lawn as going up to Monticello. If you don't believe me, stop people at the corner of McKinney and Lemmon Avenue [east or west, your choice] and ask them if they're standing in Oak Lawn or Uptown.

This perplexed Webb further as he began to realize that people may not even truly know where they actually resided to.

Uptown, like Maple Springs; Knox Park and Turtle Creek is a neighborhood that falls into the Oak Lawn area.

Michael Miliken, president of the Oak Lawn Committee, which reviews city development projects in order to protect the region's heritage, was also concerned by the turn-of-events.

'It's always been Oak Lawn, and it always will be until they change the Ordinance defining the Oak lawn property development district,' Miliken said. 'That's what the Oak Lawn Committee believes is the official definition of what Oak Lawn is.'

Miliken felt business had encouraged the use of Uptown as defining a certain area because it had a higher impact on sales.

'It's strictly for money because it is more prestigious to say, Uptown than it is to say Oak lawn,' Miliken said. 'It's strictly for business.'

Source: Webb, D (2007) Oak lawn's Boundaries Disappearing; available online at www.pegasusnews.com

Image Source: www.googlemaps and www.baltimorerun.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Flying Doctors of Mercy

By Jeff Adolph

Special Interest

Philanthropist and Dallas pilot, Mel Rushton gladly donates his time to LIGA, a registeredmMexican charitable organization that comprises of American, Canadian and Mexican members and aids the San Jose del Cabo community in Mexico.

Rushton, who owns an aircraft, fly's Dallas medical professionals, construction workers and interpreters to the rural town in Northern Mexico as part of 'The Flying Doctors of Mercy' mission operated by LIGA out of Southern California.

Rushton who has led two trips will continue his mission even-though the 1,600 mile, six-hour round trip costs him approximately $3,000 each time.

'It's expensive to own a plane,' Rushton said. Rushton has also flown to Africa and delivered medical supplies. 'We are fortunate to be in a position to own one. I think it's really important to give back.'

Dallas real estate agent, John Gonzales, who has joined Rushton on his first two trips as an interpreter said the experience was ''invaluably rewarding.'

'We get so busy caught up in our own lives it's easy to forget, how other people live in other places,' Gonzales said. 'It's one of those things were you get so much more than you put into it.'

Gonzales and Rushton are continually seeking others who may be interested in joining their ranks, especially aircraft pilots/owners.

For more information on LIGA please visit liaginternational.org

Source: Webb, D (2007) Dallas Pilot Flying Doctors of Mercy; available online at www.pegasusnews.com

Image Source: www.ligamac.com and www.pegasusnews.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Tarrant County Closer to having First Gay Official

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

Leading vote-getter, Joel Burns, an openly gay real estate agent and city zoning official looks set to take the District 9 seat on the Fort Worth District Council.

Of the six candidates in the race, Burns took first with a 37.5 percent. He was followed by Juan Rangel, who came 2nd with 23.4 percent. Burns evidentially captured 1,608 votes to Rangel's 1,006.

December the 11th will see the runoff.

Burns said of his victory, 'It was a great result. I was very excited to come in not only first but so far ahead of all the other people.'

Source: Wright, John (2007) Burns heads to Runoff in Fort Worth; available online at http://www.dallasvoice.com

Image Source: www.dallasvoice.com and www.nascorridor.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Appointment of an Alleged Bigot Disrupts Council

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

Paul Kramer, newly appointed member of the Construction Advisory and Appeals Board in Carrollton has upset the Mayor, Becky Miller (pictured left).

Kramer is what Miller refers to as a bigot; he is racist, homophobic and religiously prejudice. If you're not a Christian then Kramer is said to dislike you.

Kramer has appeared in religious protests against Muslims and initiated a petition objecting to Miller's participation in Dallas' 2006 gay Pride parade.

Miller who is unable to vote due to the structure of the Carrollton government could not prevent Kramer's appointment.

'I didn't have enough support, so he got put on, but I felt very strongly about it because I think when you have board members, they represent the city,' Miller said. 'I really try to stress diversity in this city of Carrollton, and I don't think Paul Kramer represents that.'

Kramer was unavailable for comment, 'but Councilman Terry Simons, who voted in favor of Kramer's appointment, defended the decision.

'A person's personal opinions or religious beliefs should not come into the decision process of serving the city of Carrollton,' Simons said.

Source: Wright, J (2007) 'Bigot' gets on Carrollton Board; available online at www.gay.com/articles

Image Source: waynebesen.com and northtexasconference.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Austin Ranches and Value

By Jeff Adolph

Real Estate Investment

Blessed is the ranch lifestyle some say; whether you're a land-lover or just crave the great outdoors and fresh clean living there are some great areas within Texas that represent value for money.

Central Texas offers great views as well as access to creeks, streams, and rivers. Typically, a good ranch in this region will sell for between $4,000 and $20,000 an acre. At present this market is a sellers, with supply being far less than demand.

Ranch broker, john Crook said, 'The nice ranches that stand out sell in a heartbeat. You'd be hard pressed to find anything less than $3,000 an acre, unless there is something wrong with it.'

Compared to the same time last year, all rural properties in this region have a $4,000 per acre median, which has risen approximately $1,374 since 2002, according to the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University.

Burnett, Gillespie, Llano and Mason Counties recorded a median of $4,600 for rural land a rise of $2,236 since 2002.

Whereas, Bandera, Blanco, Kendall and Kerr Counties in 2006 recorded a median of $7,086 an acre, which had almost doubled since the 2002 average of $3,600 an acre.

However, regardless of these price rises investors from all walks of life are buying in the region.

'Todays buyer is not making a living off the land', said ranch broker Sherman Durst.

In fact, most ranches over 4,000 acres are becoming rare with the majority now being approximately 1,000 acres in size.

Source: Egan, J (2007) Austin Residents Find New Homes on the Range; available online at www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/statesmanhomes/09/23/0923ranches.html

Image: austinranch.net and horseproperties.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

In a national first, the Democrats are challenging the Republicans by staging a debate that is dedicated to the LGBT community and will answer many of the issues facing Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual's and the Transgendered across the nation.

The leading candidates for the Democratic  nomination for presidency will actively involve themselves in this debate on August the 9th, which is being telecast by LOGO, a gay cable network. Alternatively, you may view proceedings on http://www.logoonline.com/ if you are unable to access the network.

Participants in the debate will include Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (pictured above), with the moderators being singer Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign's president.

If you would like to actively participate by lodging questions for the candidates to answer you may do so by logging on to LOGOonline.com as well as on HRC.org.

Source: Demorcrats to Hold Gay Debate (2007) available online at www.wweek.com

------------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

La Marque Left Without a Golf Course

By Jeff Adolph

Redevelopment

63 years of golfing memories came to a close on May the 17th of this year as the 18-hole golf course at Lake-view Country Club, La Marque, Texas saw its last tee off. The course was purchased by real estate investor, Robert Grieg who intends to study the best way to use the property before offering any speculation on its redevelopment future.

The semi-private golf course built in the 1940's will be sadly missed by many an avid golfer, gay and straight alike.

Grieg's plans are uncertain though there were rumors that he was considering the purchase of the apartment complex situated in front of the golf course also, for what reasons is unknown.

At this stage only time will tell what Grieg has in store for the historically golf course site and those disgruntled golfers will wait with baited iron to see the outcome.

Source : Elder, L (2007) Closure Leaves Golfers Without Course; available online at http://galvestondailynews.com

Images: Mircrosoft Clipart Online

---------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

By Jeff Adolph

Redevelopment

63 years of golfing memories came to a close on May the 17th of this year as the 18-hole golf course at Lake-view Country Club, La Marque, Texas saw its last tee off. The course was purchased by real estate investor, Robert Grieg who intends to study the best way to use the property before offering any speculation on its redevelopment future.

The semi-private golf course built in the 1940's will be sadly missed by many an avid golfer, gay and straight alike.

Grieg's plans are uncertain though there were rumors that he was considering the purchase of the apartment complex situated in front of the golf course also, for what reasons is unknown.

At this stage only time will tell what Grieg has in store for the historically golf course site and those disgruntled golfers will wait with baited iron to see the outcome.

Source : Elder, L (2007) Closure Leaves Golfers Without Course; available online at http://galvestondailynews.com

Images: Mircrosoft Clipart Online

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By: